Wound dressing materials incorporating anthocyanins derived from fruit or vegetable sources

1. A method for determining the status of a wound, comprising:

applying a wound dressing on a wound surface, wherein the wound dressing comprises a substrate material and a pH sensitive dye composition fixed to the substrate material by a mordant comprising aluminum potassium sulfate, wherein the pH sensitive dye composition comprises at least one fruit or vegetable derived anthocyanin, and the substrate material comprises a fabric, cloth or sponge material, and wherein color of the pH sensitive dye composition indicates pH of a wound; and

determining the status of the wound by assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition after application of the dressing onto the wound surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anthocyanin is derived from a raspberry ( Rubus sp.).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anthocyanin is derived from a fruit or vegetable selected from the group consisting of a red cabbage, purple cabbage, purple carrots, elderberry, hibiscus, purple potato, red currant, black currants, blueberries, cherries, purple grapes, red raspberries and black raspberries.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition comprises monitoring the color change of the dressing over time.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition comprises monitoring the color change of the dressing for a period between 1 to 24 hours, a period of between 2 to 16 hours, a period of between 3 to 12 hours, a period of between 4 to 10 hours, or a period of between 6 to 8 hours after application of the dressing onto the wound surface.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition comprises monitoring the color change of the dressing at one hour, two hour, four hour, 6 hour, 8 hour, 12 hour or 24 hour time intervals after application of the dressing onto the wound surface.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition is performed by visual inspection.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition is performed using a color-sensing device.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein color-sensing device is selected from the group consisting of a colorimeter and a spectrometer.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein assessing the color change of the pH sensitive dye composition is performed using an imaging device.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a colorimeter, spectrometer, a digital camera, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a portable computer, a computer, and a scanner.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing or replacing the wound dressing when the color of the wound dressing indicates a basic pH.

13. A method of treating a wound comprising

applying a wound dressing to the surface of the wound, wherein the wound dressing comprises a substrate material and a pH sensitive dye composition fixed to the substrate material by a mordant comprising aluminum potassium sulfate, wherein the pH sensitive dye composition comprises at least one fruit or vegetable derived anthocyanin, and the substrate material comprises a fabric, cloth or sponge material, and wherein color of the pH sensitive dye composition indicates pH of a wound;

assessing the color of the wound dressing after application of the dressing onto the wound surface; and

selecting a treatment plan based on the status of the wound based on the color of the wound dressing applied to the wound surface.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the treatment plan comprises removing or replacing the wound dressing when the color of the wound dressing indicates a basic pH.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the treatment plan comprises selectively administering a one or more therapeutic agents least one therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, pain relieving agents, wound closing adhesive agents, and antihistamine agents to the wound.